Samsung Teams up with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to Encourage More Than 11,000 Students to Explore STEM Education

Los Angeles-based Boys & Girls Club marks 11th
makeover in partnership – adding new technology and a new curriculum to
help kids and teens discover the possibilities of STEM careers

ATLANTA & RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and Samsung Electronics America
(Samsung) are teaming up again to equip the next generation of kids and
teens with the tools they need for a successful future in the fields of
science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Students today must be
prepared to join tomorrow’s workforce, yet there is a widening
educational gap when it comes to STEM. To help bridge this divide, Boys
& Girls Club of West San Gabriel Valley, located in Monterey Park,
Calif., has received a newly-renovated “Tween Tech Center,” a STEM
learning space targeting middle school students, made possible by BGCA
and Samsung.

Many of today’s youth are not exposed to STEM role models and careers.
During the out-of-school time, Boys & Girls Clubs provide high-impact
programming to positively engage students in STEM subjects. And today,
Samsung and BGCA are excited to open the doors to their 11th
technology makeover location. Samsung helped transform Boys & Girls Club
of West San Gabriel Valley into a high-tech learning space that features
colorful, engaging and dynamic work and reading stations. The space is
outfitted with more than 40 Samsung Galaxy tablets and laptops that
enable students to access a STEM-focused curriculum designed
specifically for middle school-aged youth at Boys & Girls Clubs.

“Samsung believes it’s our responsibility to inspire passion about STEM
subjects early in students’ lives with the hope that they will pursue
them as college majors, and ultimately viable career paths,” said Ann
Woo, senior director of corporate citizenship at Samsung Electronics
North America. “This sense of responsibility is a reflection of what’s
in the hearts and minds of the people who makeup Samsung and our
commitment to helping prepare K-12 students for bright futures. Through
our partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, we’re able to reach
middle school kids who otherwise might not have access to the latest
technology or a customized STEM curriculum. By putting these
cutting-edge resources in the hands of Boys & Girls Clubs’ staff
members, they’ll be better positioned to effectively instruct and
nurture the interest in STEM among the middle school population outside
regular classroom hours.”

Over the past two years, Samsung has partnered with BGCA to deliver
technology, customized curriculums and new learning spaces that enable
youth to explore and learn about STEM. So far, the initiative has
reached more than 11,000 Club members across the United States. Samsung
will also disperse an additional 600 tablets to other Clubs around the
country by the spring of 2016.

“The ‘Tween Tech Centers‘ provide our Club kids and teens an opportunity
to engage with the latest technology while also igniting and enhancing
their STEM knowledge,” said Jim Clark, president and CEO of BGCA. “It’s
critical that we create fun and engaging opportunities for the next
generation to learn essential STEM skills. These renovated Club spaces
give youth a chance to explore their interests and develop skills needed
for 21st century leadership and a great future.”

The opening of the latest “Tween Tech Center” will be celebrated during
a ribbon cutting ceremony at West San Gabriel Valley Club today.
Congresswoman Judy Chu, U.S. Representative for California’s 27th
Congressional District voiced her support of the critical importance of
STEM education and the work the Club does to improve the local community
within her district.

“I’m so excited for this new partnership and what it will mean for the
youth in our area and the future of our country,” said Congresswoman
Chu. “America is lagging behind the rest of the developed world in the
STEM fields, threatening our leadership role in the future. Exposure to
and opportunities with these new technologies for our youth today can
change that. When every child who has an interest in STEM has the
opportunity and resources they need, the possibilities for our future
are bright. I’m so glad to have organizations like Samsung and Boys &
Girls Clubs of America joining our effort in Washington to increase STEM
education in our country.”

Through the Hope
for Children initiative, Samsung aims to boost enthusiasm for STEM
subjects among K-12 students and provide an avenue of discovery for
career possibilities and the innovations of tomorrow. Its many
philanthropic programs and partnerships are focused on solving for
education, health and environmental issues that inspire the next
generation of innovators. In addition to the company’s work with Boys &
Girls Clubs in the Los Angeles area, Samsung is also supporting the
community through other local programs, including its emPower
Tomorrow and Ready,
Set, Gold! programs.

Experience the excitement Boys & Girls Club students, staff and
leadership feel at each new “Tween Tech Center” unveiling: LINK.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America

For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org)
has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as
productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,000 Clubs
serve nearly 4 million young people annually through Club membership and
community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing
and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families
in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations
worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun,
friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis
during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic
success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a
Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives.
National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at http://www.bgca.org/facebook andhttp://bgca.org/twitter.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
(SEA), is a recognized innovation leader in consumer electronics design
and technology. A wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd., SEA delivers a broad range of digital consumer electronics, mobile
products and wearables, wireless infrastructure, IT and home appliance
products. Samsung is the market leader for HDTVs in the U.S. and one of
America’s fastest growing home appliance brands. To discover more,
please visit www.samsung.com.
You can also Fan Samsung on www.facebook.com/SamsungUSA
or follow Samsung via Twitter @SamsungTweets.